Controversial plans to build an incinerator on the edge of King's Lynn have moved a step forward today.

Members of Norfolk County Council's environment, transport and development overview and scrutiny panel approved a recommendation to select Anglo-US waste firm Cory Wheelabrator as the preferred bidder for the �169m project.

The scheme would see a purpose-built energy from waste plant capable of treating 170,000 of black bin waste built on a purpose built site on the Saddlebow industrial estate.

Members of the ruling cabinet are expected to rubberstamp the decision at a meeting on Monday with detailed contract talks then expected to take place with the firm.

If a deal is concluded, the plant would be expected to be up and running by 2015.

Supporters believe that the incinerator will not only help tackle the county's waste mountain, but will also be able to produce energy which could provide power to 36,000 homes.

But critics fear that the technology poses too many health risks and want the authority to think again.

Anne Steward, cabinet member for sustainability, said it was vital the council moved forward to cut down Norfolk's waste mountain.

'When you look at the costs, it makes sense that we have to look at the alternatives to landfill,' she said.

But Lib Dem councillor Tim East said the decision was reprehensible.

'When there are environmentally friendly alternative technologies available which do not pose a threat to public health and recycle waste to produce energy, it beggars belief that incineration is still actively favoured by Tory councillors as a way of dealing without residual waste in the county,' Mr East said.